Man accused of beating wife with power tool, lighting house on fire

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Police and fire crews responded to a reported domestic violence incident that escalated into a house fire Saturday afternoon.

Khen Song Tang, 53, has been arrested and charged with arson and aggravated battery. Tang allegedly battered his wife in their home in the 1800 block of Lane Avenue in Hyde Park then lit it the home on fire, according to a report from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.

The incident started when Tang's wife approached him about a credit card statement, the report detailed. Tang allegedly became belligerent and struck her in the face and head. Tang is also accused of using a drill to strike his wife in the back, according to the report. When Tang's wife attempted to flee, she claims he sprayed her in the face with pepper spray, then followed her into the bathroom as she tried to wash her face. Tang allegedly continued to hit his wife in the bathroom and followed her into the living room where he is accused of grabbing her, getting on top of her and choking her until she was unconscious.

The victim told police when she came to she did not see Tang and fled her home to call police. When Sheriff's officers arrived on scene, the victim was sitting on the curb near the driveway of the home and said Tang was inside lighting the home on fire.

According to the police report, officers observed the garage of the home fully engulfed. Jacksonville Fire and Rescue responded and JSO closed a portion of Lane Avenue, between Hyde Grove Avenue and Golfview Street as a result of the incident.

The victim was transported to St. Vincent's Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Tang is currently being held in the Duval County Jail on a $650,006 bond and is scheduled to appear in court August 5. A booking photo of Tang is not currently available.